Mar
28

Let me try something controversial for a change

By Anja Merret

Recently I have been talking about more serious issues. It has been quite a wake-up call how readers can often be quite nit picking and very ready to point out where one might have gone wrong. I truly appreciate feed-back, but it does make one hesitate to write again. I mean, who wants to be wrong?

On the other hand, an intelligent discourse can be quite interesting and welcome in the sometimes rather dumbing down news environment. And as with many hands make light work, loads of brains and a varied knowledge base can expand a topic considerably and that is really enjoyable.

As much as I like to research and be fairly logical in my writing, I really enjoy writing a blog because I can air my opinions without having to join a debating society to do that. With other words there is generally a fairly generous sprinkling of personal and somewhat emotional content.

What this last year of blogging has done though, it has made me appreciate the lot of the journalist more. It would seem that as a journalist, there should be a course during ones training on how to develop a very thick skin.

So for once, I am going to abandon all pretense at logic or rational thought. Which means of course that there will be a larger number of readers who will want to point out the errors of my way. However, as there is no way to really prove the point, we can all either be wrong or right. So, water off a duck’s back, as they say.

Here it is then. What if the reason for living is just to live and there is no other reason. We decide to come onto the earth to experience life for life’s sake. With other words, we do not take on a human life to be wealthy or poor, to be famous or infamous. Or even to win a Nobel prize. We just come to check it out. Observe the show. Participate if we should feel like it.

If we come onto planet earth for the sole purpose of experiencing a life, then there would be no right or wrong. There would be no expectations we would have to work towards. We would not have to benchmark ourselves against successful people. We would not need to be successful because the concept would not make any sense to somebody who is only there to experience life.

Formal religion would have a problem surviving against that world view. There would be no obligation to have to believe in a deity. One would not need to abide by any religions’ laws. The concept of heaven and hell could not survive as our purpose would not be to lead a religious life. Inherited sins wouldn’t exist either. Not that it ever made a huge amount of sense to me in any case. But some people believe in it, so fair enough.

So why would anybody want to win a Nobel prize then? For the fun of it? Maybe to see what it feels like to have that kind of honour bestowed upon one. Or for instance why would one want to go through the kind of relentless agony in order to win the right to sit in the Oval Office at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, as Obama and Clinton are going through at the moment. Maybe to be able to use Air Force 1.

So if there is no meaning to life, why even bother? Good question. What about all the philosophers and great thinkers. They could have all been on the wrong page then. Or maybe they were just entertaining themselves, wondering what it felt like to voice a controversial opinion. Well lets see what other people have to say about this opinion.

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Categories : People Stuff

6 Comments

1

On your first point- the fact that people love to nit-pick… It’s really the old adage that any publicity is good publicity – the fact that people are disagreeing or attempting to correct this and that is a testament to the fact that you are writing about things that people feel are important to them. Sure it feels uncomfortable, but your choice is your reaction to the comments.

On the main topic… I really enjoy this kind of thinking – I too subscribe to the reality that life is pointless and has no meaning, except for the one that you give it. As Neil Donald Walsch said in the secret – there is no blackboard in the sky on which is written your purpose in life. You have to write that purpose yourself – if you want to – there are no obligations of course!

Nice post – I too await other’s opinions and comments…

2

Hi Dan
Thanks for your comment. I did have a rethink and added a paragraph to this article. I do really like the discussion!

I’m surprised at your comment on the purpose of life and enjoy it. I like the fact that it means that one could possibly break away from the stranglehold of that formal religion can have on one. As well as the expectations of other people and oneself on what we should achieve.

3

Even if it all is just for the “experience”…that does not render experience meaningless. In fact, I would say that there is purpose in everything we do….and that purpose is precisely to bring meaning to our experiences. After all, actions are content neutral until we, the observer/participant gives what we experience or see specific definition/perspective. Now, if it’s all for the purpose of having a meaningful experience, I personally would prefer to have one that enhances the quality of Life and is for the highest good of all concerned. Not judging my choices good or bad, simply making them within a framework that presupposes that what I choose affects not only me but all and everyone else. But of course, that’s my choice and, therefore, my experience.

4

Anja,
What if….
and aren’t we all given the opportunity to decide for ourselves. We determine what has meaning…but all to often we get caught up in the collective ego’s and our own.
I believe we are here to experience Joy but I do know some really miserable people who would disagree with me!
But is that not their perogitive? We all have the free will to create the life we want.

5

It’s not often that I track a comments feed, but this one has really grabbed my attention and I’m glad that there has been more comments. I’d be interested to hear an opposite perspective, as so far it seems to be the same message dressed up in different words!

6

Dan
I don’t think this article is going to get too many comments, strangely enough. I would have thought the knives would be out. I submit my articles to http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/anjamerret and often get a huge debate happening there.

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